This way of eating removes foods that may cause gas. Gas is a normal part of digestion. But too much can cause belching, swelling, or passing gas.
Too much gas may be from the foods you eat. But some health problems can also cause gas, such as:
Gas is a normal by-product of digestion. Swallowing air can cause gas to build up in our stomach. This usually causes burping. Some foods increase flatulence by providing nutrients to gas-producing bacteria in the lower intestines. High-fiber foods often cause gas, especially if you are not used to eating them.
Flatulence and bloating can also be caused by lactose intolerance. This is when there is not enough of the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar.
Use this list as a guide. These are foods and drinks that cause excess gas in many people. They may or may not cause gas in you. Try to figure out which ones cause you to have gas. A food log can help you track the foods that you eat and their effects.
Whole grains (whole wheat, brain, oats) and whole-grain products
Milk and other dairy products, including highly fermented cheese
Beans and other legumes (baked beans, garbanzo, kidney, lentil, lima, navy, pinto)
Sugar-free hard candies and gum
Learning which foods cause you gas and which ones do not is a process of trial and error. However, most of the foods not on this list should be fine.
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
Eat Right—Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
http://www.eatright.org
Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org
Dietitians of Canada
http://www.dietitians.ca
Flatulence. EBSCO Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: https://www.ebscohost.com/nursing/products/nursing-reference-center. Updated October 12, 2018. Accessed June 14, 2019.
Gas in the digestive tract. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed June 14, 2019.
Gas-related complaints. The Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated May 2018. Accessed June 14, 2019.
Last reviewed June 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Dianne Scheinberg Rishikof MS, RD, LDN
Last Updated: 10/2/2019